Restored National Heritage at Deoksugung: Cookie Run Pursues the Unfinished Dream of the Korean Empire

From the Royal Seal to Media Art: Connecting Past and Present
"Collaboration with Traditional Culture Aligns with the Values and Philosophy of Cookie Run"

From December 9, 2025, to March 1, 2026, the exhibition "Cookie Run: In Search of the Lost National Heritage" will be held at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. This special exhibition, which highlights the value of national heritage and delivers a timeless message of hope, is a collaborative effort between Devsisters and the National Heritage Administration to commemorate the second National Heritage Day.

At the special exhibition "Cookie Run: In Search of the Lost National Heritage," held on the 9th at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, visitors can experience media art representing Seoul's daytime. Photo by Kyungjo Noh

At a press conference held at Dondeokjeon on December 8, Joo Gilhyun, CEO of Devsisters, stated, "The Korean Empire was an unfinished dream filled with the intense and courageous spirit of our ancestors, who sought to build an independent nation and achieve prosperity and strength despite the encroachment of foreign powers." He added, "I thought the courage of the Cookies escaping from the oven is fundamentally connected to the values of the Korean Empire."

He continued, "A well-made game intellectual property can become a legacy. I believe that experiences and values cherished over time can be connected," and further explained, "Collaborating with traditional culture aligns well with the philosophy of Cookie Run." Cookie Run is an intellectual property that recently surpassed 300 million cumulative users worldwide.

The exhibition follows the journey of Cookies and their friends as they search for lost national heritage to fulfill the unfinished dream of the Korean Empire. It will offer a unique immersive experience through storytelling docents featuring the voices of Cookie Run characters.

The special exhibition "Cookie Run: In Search of the Lost National Heritage," held on the 9th at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, will feature a restored Korean royal seal. Photo by Kyungjo Noh

Visitors at Dondeokjeon can view more than 40 authentic artifacts from the imperial family of the Korean Empire, three imaginative paintings inspired by the Cookie Run universe, four collaborative works created with holders of vulnerable categories of national intangible heritage, and media art depicting an imagined Seoul embodying the ideals of the Korean Empire.

Key artifacts include the "Gyeongungungjung Geondogam Uigwe," "Old Korean Order Painting," and "Eojin Dosadogam Uigwe." A restored Korean royal seal by Kim Younghee, a holder of national intangible heritage in jade craft, is displayed in a dedicated space. The Korean royal seal, created in 1897, no longer exists today due to removal by the Japanese, subsequent return, and loss during the Korean War. The restoration was based on illustrations and production regulations preserved in the "Boinbushin Chongso" and "Daerye Uigwe" from that era.

Media art representing Seoul's daytime and nighttime is presented on a 27-meter-long LED panel installed along the wall. Devsisters' designers, artists, and business managers conducted extensive research and verification throughout Seoul to prepare for the production. Kwak Heewon, curator at the National Heritage Administration, commented, "This is the first time a domestic museum has used LED panels for a media art exhibition," adding, "We hope visitors feel that national heritage is alive and breathing in our everyday lives."

Joo Gilhyun, CEO of Devsisters (left), is explaining about the special exhibition "Cookie Run: In Search of the Lost National Heritage" held on the 8th at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace, Seoul. Photo by Noh Kyungjo

Cookie Run merchandise will also be available both online and offline. The Deoksugung gift shop will offer items such as stamp sticker sets, postcard sets, posters, acrylic dioramas, and magnets. The online store will feature products such as the "Brave Cookie Korean Royal Seal" and "Embroidered Norigae."

Previously, Devsisters signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Heritage Administration in 2023 to promote national heritage and support the repatriation of overseas heritage. CEO Joo stated, "We wanted to give back for the love we have received by contributing to the preservation and development of national heritage," adding, "Through various channels, we plan to present the unique encounter between Korean heritage and Cookie Run not only to domestic but also to international users."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.